The Texas Senate approved Senate Bill 2010 on Thursday, prohibiting local governments from using public funds to provide direct financial aid to residents. The bill effectively ends Uplift Harris, Harris County’s guaranteed income program.
Uplift Harris, championed by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, would have given $500 per month to a randomly selected group of 1,500 families living below 200% of the poverty line. The program aimed to address inequality and was modeled after similar initiatives in other areas that showed positive results, such as increased employment and improved health and well-being.
However, the program faced opposition from conservative lawmakers who argued that it violated the Texas Constitution’s ban on using public funds for gifts. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the county, and the Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked payments.
Despite the setback, county leaders launched a modified version of the program, which Paxton also challenged in court. The legal battle resulted in another temporary halt to the program.
Senate Bill 2010, authored by Senator Paul Bettencourt, who called Uplift Harris “lottery socialism,” specifically prohibits using any government funds, including federal dollars, for guaranteed income programs. It also bans officials from providing direct financial assistance to residents through gift cards or indirect money transfers.
A companion bill, House Bill 530, is currently under consideration by the Texas House of Representatives. Both bills need to pass both legislative chambers and be signed by Governor Greg Abbott to become law.